“People who are trying to build a businesses are being told a story of how to get venture capital money, but the reality is a different one for women and people of color,” said Williams, a Penn State grad. “The checks just aren’t being cut.”

Williams is on a push to bring together other founders facing the same context. On Oct. 9 and 10, the Black & Brown Founders conference is happening at Quorum, with Mayor Jim Kenney as headliner and a roster of 21 speakers.